General Forum

Graded cards have no place in my collection. I know to some they do, and that's fine. To each his or her own. For me, I feel that a card should be handled  (albeit with care).

Where I'm going with this: I am trading my dad this weekend for a couple of autographed graded cards and I would like to unslab them. I have heard this is possible, but have never tried it, seeing as I've never collected slabbed cards. So my question is what is the easiest and safest method of freeing a graded card from its casing? Maybe it actually isn't possible; does anyone have any tips or tricks? 

Jason

I have only done it once. I used a wire cutter to cut a corner off. It wasn't the cleanest, but I was able to pry it apart and get the card out undamaged.

That's my biggest concern: getting the card out clean. I have no use for the holder, so I'm not worried about it being mangled. 

What you said is kind of what I was thinking; get a portion off and pry the case apart. Thanks! 

I find the seam with my knife, pry and they pop open.

Keep 'em crackin'

Really good video that shows exactly the way I've busted mine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TweBKf1J2yA

And as he says in the video, those corners DO fly off. I used to do mine in a box to keep them from flying all over the room (at potentially at others).

Vrooomed's video works. I've done it. 

But more important is the wording of the original post. The guy actually traded his dad for some graded cards. Either he likes graded cards more than he's letting on, or he doesn't like his dad that much. I mean, I'd consider trading one of my daughters for a Nolan Ryan rookie, but nothing less than that. 

V3

I am not a fan of grading or paying for a grade and I do think the thing is a sham, but, saying that, if someone paid and the card was already graded, I think I would just leave it trapped.  I mean, the money spent on the grading is just tossed away, and if it had a higher grade, it is worth more in the end, at least until the market for grading goes away.  I don't believe I would ever pay to have one graded, but I also wouldn't pay to have something covered in gold.  However, if I had a statue covered in gold, I don't believe I would melt it off.  I know this is just me though.  This is a hobby that is done for joy and happiness.  If freeing the cards enhance your enjoyment, I would say go for it!  (I know you weren't asking if you should free it, I just thought I would offer my thoughts).

Thanks for the replies everyone. Perhaps I could try to knife through the seam, as that seems easiest, although I'll have to watch that video beforehand too.

Muskie- I follow your viewpoint and I don't disagree by any stretch. The cards in question were received by him already graded (whether through a repack box bought at the store or some other method), so that lessens my guilt a little!

V3- I'm not quite sure I follow what you're saying?

Jason,

Reread your first post where you said "I am trading my dad this weekend for a couple of autographed graded cards ".  I was wondering how many posts would be written before someone picked upon it.  I assume you were trading with your Dad and not trading your dad.

As for slabbed cards, the only ones I have are from being included in larger lot purchases. I have never unslabbed them.